Another SEC basketball Saturday is officially here, which means it’s time to dive into each game and see how things could unfold.
Can Georgia score a quality road win in Gainesville? Could Auburn pull off the upsets of all upsets at Kentucky? And will SEC referees have their least consistent day ever?
Let’s jump into the predictions.
Georgia (11-5, 3-1) at No. 23 Florida (13-3, 4-0) – 12 PM ET, ESPN2
I’ve voiced my concerns about the Bulldogs. I love JJ Frazier and Yante Maten, but I don’t always love the production that Mark Fox gets around them.
Frazier and Maten is one of the better inside-out combos in the entire nation, and they’ve fueled Georgia to this point. However, if this team wants to become a true tournament contender, it will need more help in road games like this one.
The Gators are coming off a victory in Tuscaloosa over Alabama. They’re averaging 83 points per game during their six-game winning streak, which is intriguing since the Bulldogs only give up 67.1 points per game.
There’s too much to like about Florida and still a few too many unknowns for me to pick Georgia.
Prediction: Florida 75, Georgia 67
Texas A&M (9-6, 1-3) at Mississippi State (11-4, 2-1) – 1 PM ET, CBS
This is certainly one of the more intriguing games on Saturday’s SEC slate.
Mississippi State surprised a lot of people on Tuesday when it won at Arkansas, while Texas A&M surprised no one when it dismantled LSU at home in a 92-62 victory.
Something that is helping the Bulldogs right now is outside shooting. Ben Howland’s team is second in the SEC in three-point field percentage (38%), with Quinndary Weatherspoon and Lamar Peters leading the way.
Another help is turnover margin and steals. You know who struggles in that area? Texas A&M.
This game is difficult to predict. On one hand, the Aggies aren’t as bad as their record. On the other hand, you can’t discount the confidence that the Bulldogs are playing with after winning at an insanely difficult place like Bud Walton Arena.
A&M needs this win more, and I think it’ll get it.
Prediction: Texas A&M 70, Mississippi State 67
Alabama (9-6, 2-1) at LSU (9-6, 1-3) – 3:30 PM ET, SEC Network
Things continued to go south for Johnny Jones and LSU in the loss in College Station. Just when you thought the Tigers couldn’t play much worse than they did in the SEC tournament semifinal last year against the Aggies, they gave it a run for their money this time around.
The fact of the matter is this: Jones is a super nice guy that means well, but things just aren’t working.
This column by Randy Rosetta describes the situation perfectly.
Meanwhile, the Crimson Tide didn’t look all that hot against Florida. Alabama shot 50% from the line in taking 32 total free throws, and allowed the Gators to score 27 points off turnovers. That’s not a recipe for success.
I still worry about Alabama’s ability to do the little things right in close games, but LSU is reeling. There’s no reason for Braxton Key and company to lose this game.
Prediction: Alabama 68, LSU 64
Auburn (11-5, 1-3) at No. 6 Kentucky (14-2, 4-0) – 4 PM ET, ESPN
The Wildcats looked beatable on Tuesday in a hard-fought win at Vanderbilt. Something tells me they won’t look beatable in this one.
Auburn is still without Danjel Purifoy due to injury, and that’s a big blow in a game like this since he’s the most NBA-ready player on the roster.
And if you hadn’t noticed, Kentucky’s roster is filled with NBA players.
I simply can’t see this being close.
Prediction: Kentucky 98, Auburn 71
Missouri (5-10, 0-3) at Arkansas (12-4, 1-3) – 6 PM ET, SEC Network
While Arkansas’ early SEC slate has been difficult, losing at home to a young Mississippi State team was a step backwards.
The Razorbacks have the talent to be an NCAA tournament team, but they can’t afford to lose those types of games on the way there.
Of course, Arkansas definitely can’t afford to lose this game. Missouri is still giving good effort, however, there’s only so much you can say about the struggles of Kim Anderson’s team at this point in the season.
The angry Hogs should bounce back with a vengeance.
Prediction: Arkansas 83, Missouri 65
Ole Miss (10-6, 1-3) at South Carolina (13-3, 3-0) – 6:30 PM ET, ESPNU
The incredible performances on the defensive end of the floor continue to fuel the Gamecocks.
That defense should look even better on Saturday for one big reason: Ole Miss star Deandre Burnett is doubtful with an ankle injury.
Burnett suffered the injury in the first half against Georgia, and the Rebels were never the same in scoring a season-low 47 points. To put that into perspective, this team’s previous scoring low was 62 in a home loss to Middle Tennessee State back in November.
Even with Burnett, this would’ve been a tough game for Ole Miss. Without him, it won’t be pretty.
Prediction: South Carolina 74, Ole Miss 59
Tennessee (8-8, 1-3) at Vanderbilt (8-8, 2-2) – 8:30 PM ET, SEC Network
The outlook of this game changed dramatically when Tennessee dismissed junior guard Detrick Mostella earlier in the week.
Things also changed when the Commodores put up their best effort of the season in nearly taking down Kentucky at Memorial Gym.
Vandy got incredible production from its top four players on the same night, which is something that needs to happen more often if this team wants to reel off a lot of wins in conference play. Depth is still a concern, but Bryce Drew’s team has come a long way from where they were earlier in the season.
And considering that Tennessee turned the ball over 22 times and shot 33% from the floor (including only a single three-pointer) in their first game without Mostella on the court, that pushes this game heavily in Vandy’s favor.
With back-to-back games at Georgia and Florida on deck, it’s a game that the Commodores desperately need to win.
Prediction: Vanderbilt 79, Tennessee 68
Blake Lovell has worked in sports media for over 10 years. He currently covers SEC football and basketball for various publications.